alo

bikeaddiction1

As a cyclist and motorcyclist I have had many of the same thoughts shown in this video. The biggest danger to me is someone who doesn't really cycle much because it is too hard or takes too long, etc., and doesn't motorcycle because of the cost of gear, training, perceived danger, so they get an E Bike. These E Bike riders with poor or no cycling skills and no motorcycle skills are in the biggest danger.

Gyro

I don't know anyone wearing amour on a MC.

bikeaddiction1

Most people I know that ride a motorcycle have an armored jacket or at least a leather jacket and many wear armoured pants or at least Kevlar liner jeans. The guys I ride with are not very young though, and I do see young riders without much more protection than a helmet. We are legally required to wear an approved helmet here.

mr_bill

For those who didn't watch, bottom line:

Click-bait: A chipped e-bike may be wicked dangerous.
Also: Idiots may be wicked dangerous.

-mr. bill

350htrr

Why Electric bikes can be more dangerous than motor bikes.... That, I would go along with...

Gyro

I've been wearing a MC helmet since 1971. As for the rest, boots, jeans and a leather coat depending on temp. The jackasses I see on crotch rockets won't be saved by any kind of armor.

mr_bill

Update: Vidiot claims the top speed was achieved by pedaling downhill.

Revision:

Click-bait: Idiots on e-bikes may be wicked dangerous.
Also: Idiots may be wicked dangerous while operating bikes, e-bikes, motorcycles, automobiles, trucks, or while on foot.

-mr. bill

Notso_fastLane

You do now.

I never ride without the following gear:
1 - Full face helmet
2 - Leather jacket with CE approved armor
3 - Leather pants with CE armor that zip to the jacket
4 - Leather boots to mid calf
5 - Leather gauntlet gloves
6 - Ear plugs
On the track (I race), add a back protector and mouthpiece to that list. One of my street bikes is a 'crotch rocket',and the leather and armor is still a potential lifesaver.

bikeaddiction1

I know an Orthopedic Surgeon who, when he found out I road a motorcycle said, "You guys are responsible for half our business. Not the young guys, they just kill themselves. Its the older riders we have to fix up".
I know guys on sport bikes that are very good riders, but I also see young guys who get a licence and before they have any riding experience they go and get a powerful crotch rocket. Armoured gear will not protect them when hitting a wall at 100 mph.

Gyro

I live in a 200,000+ size city and we lose 3 to 4 a year. A few years back a jackass was flying down a 40 mph road. Tried to run a light and ended up hitting the door of a car going through. His bike exploded on contract with the door. A surgeon crash his road bike on a bike trail going to work at his hospital, paralyzed from the neck down.

I've had two crashes. Once on my road bike crossing RR tracks and the other on a MC riding on a utility road along side railroad track. Riding one handed, smoking with my left. I caught the weeds with the left bar end and went into the weeds hitting a tie, I flew over the handle bar, the kid on the back seat over me and the bike over both of us. Ever try to laugh with the wind knocked out of you?

Gyro

The guy that owns the bike shop I do business with races on both frozen lakes and road courses in the summer. He of course wears amour when racing. He doesn't when riding around town.

jon c. 

I think motorcycles are definitely safer than e-bikes. The underpowered scooters might not be any safer.

Moe Zhoost

By far, the most significant factor affecting the safety of an object is the user. Assigning inherent risk directly to the object is bad journalism.

grizzly59

Agree absolutely. I would even say idiots are wicked dangerous, period. 1-delta-10-tangos are absolutely ingenious at thwarting all possible attempts at tamping / slowing / reducing / stopping their danger to others and themselves. In the end after killing you they will probably sue your estate and win.

Russ Roth

If you actually watch the video he does blame the riders and their ability to access these bikes. I worry more about the relation of these to pedestrians and the negative impact its going to have with regular cyclists. These things allow inexperienced recreational cyclists to move at twice their normal speed with a bike at least 50% heavier then their regular bike. Where hitting a pedestrian at normal speeds with a normal bike the resulting force of the collision with an ebike is much higher making them a bigger danger since they also aren't constrained to the auto paths where pedestrians can be more wary of them but also anywhere a regular bike goes increasing the danger.

Moe Zhoost

I hear you. But again this motorcycle advocate (per his channel description) is doing nothing more than describing the possible negative outcomes of riding a non-conforming e-bike in a non-conforming way. Canadian regs limit e-bike speeds to 32 kph yet he is hitting 60 on his e-bike so definitely some scofflaw activity on his part. Where I'm from, his e-bike would be classified as a moped, requiring registration and insurance. It would also be prohibited from riding in a bike lane.

Video theme: Motorcycles are better so let's demonize the competition by contriving an elevated level of hazard.

tyrion

I agree motorcycles are safer than e-bikes on streets with car traffic. The e-bike niche of being faster than a bike and slower than all other powered vehicles is a relatively unsafe niche, IMO.

And I think a high powered motorcycle is safer than a low powered motorcycle, generally speaking.

Russ Roth

Although the source may have something of an ulterior motive, sadly the logic is sound. Being near NYC I've seen plenty of these things careening about, helmetless, not respecting the right of way of pedestrians and others and moving at speeds they just shouldn't be for the surroundings. There have been plenty of people properly using them but having ridden the boardwalk in the Far Rockaways I've seen these things being wizzed around old people and children by kids and the uncaring and it can be a scary combination.

Paul Barnard

I agree with what you have written here, but to those who view the video with the intent of understanding it, they will get the spirit of the message. To your point about objects, I enjoy hunting and shooting. Firearms are often one of those objects to which inherent risk is assigned.

Moe Zhoost

Russ Roth - I think that you and I are pretty much in agreement that humans can wreak havoc with things that they either cannot or don't care to control well. We probably also agree that e-bikes (and scooters) need strong consideration in overall transportation rule-making. I have seen some local and state laws that seem reasonable, yet there doesn't seem to be much in the way of enforcement. There is also much inconsistency in the language. My own observations are that e-bike users are for the most part riding in a safe and courteous manner; however I have seen a few acting irresponsibly. Personally, I think that e-bikes can be a huge plus in our future transportation and environmental plans, but with that will likely come some unwelcome regulations to control those few selfish humans ignore good, prudent behaviour.

Pratt

Don't most jurisdictions require some sort of training, testing and licensing to operate a motorcycle?
And, conversely, can't you just get on an E bike and go, in most places?
It seems that the danger is not so much inherent in the machine, as in the nut holding the handlebars.

Kat12

I've seen both... the people who gear up, and the guys in shorts and t-shirts, with their girlfriend perched on the back in shorts, tank top, and flip flops (I mean, I like exfoliation as much as the next girl, but some apparently carry it to extremes...).


Yes, I've heard the argument that they're not-- partly for the "underpowered" reason, and because they tend to have smaller wheels, and because like e-bikes, people are less likely to wear safety gear, and because in at least some places, they're more likely to be ridden by people with little or no experience.

rydabent

Seems to me it is just anti E-bike drivel.

BTW I do not own an e-bike.

work4bike

The video makes some very good points and I don't see it as e-bike drivel, rather the dangers observed by e-bike riders. I see them all the time; they have the mindset of a bike rider, but should really have a mindset closer to that of a motorcyclist.

The only thing keeping more idiots off the roads creating unsafe conditions is the relatively expensive price of an e-bike.